Are you someone who is a newcomer to the field of genealogy, or are you a person who just likes to dabble in the research of your family’s history? Perhaps, instead, you’re like some of us who live and breathe for research and study - for the quest of finding that elusive ancestor who just doesn’t want to be found. Maybe you just want to know more about the ancestors you’ve already discovered.

No matter which of those categories you fall under, you will most certainly want to meet and hear Thomas MacEntee (pronounced Mc IN tee) when he comes to the Tennessee Genealogical Society (TNGS) on Saturday, November 5, 2016, as the featured speaker for the Society’s annual Fall Seminar.

The word “awesome” is thrown around quite a bit in today’s vernacular, but I will have to tell you that when I think of Thomas MacEntee, the first word I honestly think of is awesome! 

Thomas is a self-described “tech guy.” In fact, he spent most of his career in the field of technology. Thomas openly tells everyone that in 2008, when the economy took a downturn, he found himself out of a job. Instead of being discouraged, he took his technology skills and coupled them with his love of family history research. He then started his own company, High Definition Genealogy, which “provides various services to the genealogy and family history community including market research, consulting, education, and more.” ˡ

Thomas is also a blogger, so he soon began another project, Geneabloggers, which is an online community of family history bloggers. Geneabloggers sends out newsletters providing information on new bloggers and giving tips for daily blogging topics, as well as resources and ideas for all family history researchers. Geneabloggers also publishes the Geneabloggers Daily that is a collection of other peoples’ blogs about family history, genealogy, technology, history, and other pertinent topics. This daily is posted on Twitter and other social media venues. (Information on these and all of his other endeavors can be found on Thomas’ website, which is given at the end of this post.)

​Since the Seminar is not until November, many people will wait to register. Don’t wait! You’ll want to be sure to register early so that you can be assured of a seat to hear this outstanding speaker. 

The topics that Thomas will cover for the Fall Seminar are given here and can also be found on the TnGenSoc website. They include:

• The 15 Habits of  Highly Frugal Genealogists - “Learn how savvy genealogists find success with 15 basic habits of frugality. You’ll not only find a list of key resources but more importantly you’ll learn how to embrace the “mind set” of finding the best ways to save money while researching your ancestors.”
• Building a Research Toolbox - “Are you overwhelmed with the number of online resources for genealogical research? Are you constantly working with unorganized bookmarks or favorites? Printing out lists of websites you use most? Learn how to build a research toolbox that is organized, easy-to-use, and can be accessed from almost anywhere.”
• Internet Archive - “Learn how to navigate the Internet Archive and leverage the best search strategies to download a variety of materials including archived web pages, e-books, video, audio and more.”
• Family History Trippin’ - “Participants will learn how to evaluate their travel habits and then build a travel plan to ensure an enjoyable and productive genealogy-related trip. We’ll also cover apps and websites you should know as well as how to handle those pesky emergencies or changes in plans!”

You can register online for the Seminar using PayPal or a credit card: Tennessee Genealogical Society Bookstore. 

You can also download the registration form by clicking on the link shown about half-way down the TnGenSoc home page (www.tngs.org) and either mail it in or bring it by the Tennessee Genealogical Society’s office.

The event will take place at the Pickering Center, located at 7771 Poplar Pike in Germantown, right across the courtyard (with its beautiful new fountain!) from the Tennessee Genealogical Society’s offices. Seating is limited, so you’ll definitely want to register early.

Sign-in begins at 8:30 that morning, with the first session beginning at 9:00. Breaks with snacks will occur throughout the day, and lunch is provided with your registration fee: $40 for TnGenSoc members and $45 for non-members.

Do you want to know more about genealogy? If so, this is one seminar that you cannot miss!

​Carla Love Maitland
 
ˡ High Definition Genealogy (Family History in Focus). Thomas MacEntee. http://hidefgen.com.
 
 

Have you completely entered the 21st Century? Do you consider yourself “tech savvy” yet? Do you make the most of your computer and/or smart phone skills to the fullest?

If not, don’t despair. So many people are not there yet, and others don’t even want to join that fast lane to technology. I call it a “fast lane,’ but it’s more like a thoroughfare that rearranges itself and creates constant interchanges at the most unexpected places. It’s hard to keep up!

Most of you have probably already joined that fast lane and have developed skills for certain online sites that you use to research your ancestors. Nonetheless, if you haven’t taken advantage of that part of technology known as “social media,” you are missing out on a wealth of resources available that will further enhance your genealogical quests.

On Saturday, May 7, 2016, genealogist Tina Sansone presented a workshop on “Social Networking for Genealogists” for the Tennessee Genealogical Society (TNGS). Tina, a long-time TNGS member and former Board Member, provided an extensive explanation of social media, giving the benefits of its use for genealogy. Her handout was wide-ranging and included numerous examples of social media and how to use each.

TNGS has enthusiastically entered the 21st century in regards to social media and has a number of social media sites that are used to promote the society, cultivate conversations about family surnames, publicize particular events, sell books that the Society has to offer, and impart important genealogical research information. It’s our hope that each TNGS member will take full advantage of the sites offered by the Society in order to connect with others who have similar research interests.
Wendy Kennedy Davison, Director of Media Relations for TNGS, is the main administrator of these groups, and is ably assisted by TNGS members Tina Sansone, Wanda Hunter Day, and various others.

FACEBOOK

TNGS set up a Facebook Group a few years ago and currently has nearly 4,000 members that include people from all over the state of Tennessee, as well as those who live elsewhere but have Tennessee roots to research. These members are able to post on the site in hopes of linking up with others who are researching the same family or families. So many connections have been made on this site. Cousins have “found” each other, and the Facebook Group has ultimately been a great success.
In addition, Wendy posts an abundance of research articles and sites to help members further their research skills. The TNGS Facebook Group can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TNGen/..

TWITTER

Twitter is an online networking site that allows members to “tweet” out posts using a limited amount of letters. These tweets can be about any topic, and a number of Twitter members use the site to promote their genealogy blogs, their genealogical societies, and often their genealogy research. TNGS has a Twitter Account that can be accessed at https://twitter.com/TnGenSoc. 
With over 1200 members, TNGS posts often get “re-tweeted” by others and have helped a number of people connect to “new” family members.

PINTEREST

Pinterest is referred to as “the world’s catalog of ideas.” It’s basically a huge bulletin board that allows members to “pin” photos, videos, links, and other things to their chosen “board.” TNGS now has a board through the Let's Discuss It Group. This group “meets monthly to discuss genealogy and technology topics.” A list of meeting dates can be seen on the main TNGS website.
This monthly workshop is run by TNGS members, Deb Atchley and PZ Horton.  Because of the emphasis on technology, Deb elected to set up a special Pinterest Board for the group that you can visit at:https://www.pinterest.com/letsdiscussit//.
Deb has developed 91 boards, ranging from various state sites to a multitude of special topics, such as military records, genealogy links, genealogy software – and much more! Boards on a number of other countries are also included.

LINKEDIN

LinkedIn is mainly a professional networking site that connects people with similar interests, whether it is a particular business or perhaps a specific concentration, such as genealogy or history. TNGS has nearly 100 members. The TNGS group is located at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4431840.  

TNGS WEBSITE AND BLOG

The main website of TNGS (www.tngs.org) is an essential source of information for members and visitors. It is also an interactive site that would classify it as a “social media” site.

Aside from the main menu of events on the home page, there is a list of specific sites on the left-hand side of the page that will take you to a number of valuable resources. Everything from back issues of the Society’s magazine, Ansearchin’ News, to articles on the basics of genealogy, to a ‘Member’s Only’ site are listed there. Also located there is a link to the Blog, where you can read back posts, look through current ones, and even  make comments. The Blog site has a number of photos from past activities that reflect the variety of opportunities that have been offered to members and friends over the past few years.

On the Bookstore link, you can purchase books, join the Society (or renew your membership), sign up for an upcoming Seminar, learn how to obtain research help, and find out how to contact the Society.

WHAT’S NEXT?

I heard “through the grapevine” that there may be a TNGS Instagram site looming in the future. Details will come soon, I’m sure!
 
So are you ready for the 21st Century? I’ll have to admit that there is at least one of the sites listed above (Instagram) that I’ve not joined. Maybe I still have a little toe left in that last century. Maybe I need to jump out completely?

Come join me!
 
Carla Love Maitland

Irish Eyes were surely smiling in March this year as Fintan Mullin and Gillian Hunt of the Ulster Historical Foundation Society came back from Ireland to give their annual month-long tour of the U.S.A. The Tennessee Genealogical Society (TNGS) was delighted to host them again this year in light of their successful presentation here two years ago. The best part was that the Society was actually able to host their full-day presentation on St. Patrick’s Day. What a terrific way to celebrate that day!

Fintan and Gillian gave their seminar to a packed house, and their brilliant sessions were as delightful as they were two years ago. For those of you who didn’t attend because you came to the seminar in 2014, you missed out on some exciting new lecture topics that included more research methods and a number of new sites.  Hopefully, the Society will be able to host them again in a couple of years. As Gillian said, in her charming Irish brogue, “It was lovely to visit with you again.”  Yes, it was!

And speaking of old friends, we hope that you are preparing to watch Season 3 of Genealogy Roadshow on PBS that co-stars our old friend, D. Joshua Taylor. Josh gave the annual Fall Conference for TNGS last year to a sold-out crowd. It will be great to see him in action again in that outstanding series, which can be seen at 7:00 p.m. (CT) on Tuesdays beginning on May 17 and ending on June 28, 2016. Be sure to check it out.

Although many members of TNGS already know Thomas MacEntee, he’ll be a ‘new’ friend to the Society when he gives the annual Fall Seminar on November 5, 2016.  Registration for the event has already begun. Visit the TNGS website at www.tngs.org and scroll down to the event to read more about it. You can register online using PayPal or a credit card by clicking on “The Bookstore” link found on the left-hand side of the home page. Then click on “Seminar” at the top and you’ll be ready to register!

You can also download the registration form by simply clicking on the link shown on the home page and mail it in or bring it by the Society’s office. The price is $40.00 for members and $45.00 for non-members. That price includes a box lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

Thomas MacEntee spent 25 years in the information technology profession but had to reinvent himself after the technology recession of 2008. He decided to bring his tech skills to his true passion – genealogy. What a windfall for the genealogy community that was! Thomas is a much-sought-after lecturer, the author of seven books on genealogy, and has so many projects going that the Society is very lucky that he was able to work a seminar for us into his busy schedule.
Learn more about Thomas and the various workshops he’ll be giving on November 5th by visiting the “Bookstore” site and following the link at the top to “Seminar.”

Finally, TNGS member and special friend, Tina Sansone, will give a workshop on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Tina, a noted local genealogist who has done research for episodes of Who Do You Think You Are, will talk about “Social Networking for Genealogists.” In her presentation, she will explain how researchers “can utilize social media as a genealogical resource."

What an exciting year this has already been and will continue to be as we visit with old friends, make new ones, and learn more about genealogical research along the way. Come join us when you can. Be sure to visit the website often to see what new events are being scheduled each month.

Carla Love Maitland

Family Tree Maker Migration Discussion

                       Saturday, 10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Jan 16, 2016 

With the projected demise of Family Tree Maker, we have had numerous questions as to how to proceed.  This session will cover migration processes and issues concerning moving from Family Tree Maker to Legacy and RootsMagic.

In the future we plan to have new sessions on Legacy and RootsMagic to discuss how the products work.

This workshop is FREE. No registration is required.

7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN 38138
901-754-4300 Society Office
901-757-8480 Library
​

The Germantown Regional History & Genealogical Center (GRHGC) has a wealth of resources they are offering to the public, FREE of charge. No membership fees are required to access these databases! The following is their newest additions to their collection:

·         Find My Past (http://www.findmypast.com) - You will gain access to our ever-expanding collections of over 2 billion historical records from around the world, including US censuses from as far back as 1790, the largest collection of Irish records anywhere online, and US military records from the Revolutionary War up to World War II. In addition, you’ll be able to explore millions of newspaper pages from as long ago as 1710. (http://www.findmypast.com/content/why-choose-findmypast)

·         Proquest (http://www.proquest.com)

o   Historical Map Works (http://www.proquest.com/products-services/databases/hmw.html) - 1.5+ million high-res, full color historic maps, Property & antique maps, directories & illustrations.

o   Obituaries (http://www.proquest.com/products-services/databases/obits_shtml.html) - offers more than 10.5 million obituaries and death notices in full-image format from uninterrupted historical archives of top newspapers. With content dating as far back as 1851, this wholly unique database provides both novice and expert researchers from all regions of the U.S. valuable clues about their ancestors, including proper full name, maiden name, spousal information, relatives’ names, occupation, religion, cause of death, and more. Its intuitive interface allows users to search by name, date, and keyword with additional wildcard searching for name variations.

o   African American Heritage (http://www.proquest.com/products-services/databases/aah.html)

• Primary sources devoted specifically to African American family history, including census records, vital records, freedman and slave records, church records, legal records, and more.
• The newest primary source collections include North Carolina cohabitation records, North Carolina and West Virginia marriage records, U.S. Colored Troops Records (1861-1865), and registers of slaves and free persons of color from select states and counties.
• Unique access to family history books related to African Americans, including titles from Genealogical Publishing Company made available in digital format for the first time ever.
• Exclusive access to an updated, online edition of Black Genesis—an exhaustive guide that makes locating resources pertaining to slaves and free blacks easier.
• Exclusive partnership with AfriGeneas!
• American Ancestors (http://www.AmericanAncestors.org) - To advance the study of family history in America and beyond, we educate, inspire and connect people through our scholarship, collections, and expertise. Founded in 1845, the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) is the country’s leading resource for family history research. Although our name says New England, we provide expertise and research in nearly all aspects of family history, from 17th-century colonial New England through twentieth-century immigration research. We maintain our award-winning website, AmericanAncestors.org, as the online repository for more than 400 million searchable names from America and beyond.

·         The Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest and Fold3 are still available!

Another great feature is the library now offers inter-library privileges from FamilySearch.org. Visit the GRHGC at 7779 Poplar Pike and discover a wealth of genealogical & historical data. Please visit www.tngs.org for their Events and don’t forget to pre-register for the Joshua Taylor event to be held on November 7, 2015.  For more information email tngs@tngs.org. 

Researching for Who Do You Think You Are?
Presented by Tina Sansone

Sunday, August 30 2:00-3:00 pm at the TN Genealogical Society

Come join Tina as she discusses working with WDYTYA as Background Researcher on the Vanessa Williams and Ginnifer Goodwin segments. She will share the cases she worked on discussing research techniques.

 
Local Genealogical & Historical Resources & Events
Presented by Tina Sansone

Saturday, September 26,  10:00-11:30 am at TN Genealogical Society

Come discover local resources and events that will contribute to your genealogy and/or historical knowledge. Great ideas for field and/or road trips will be given.


Newspapers in Genealogy
Presented by Tina Sansone

Sunday, October 11, 2:00-3:00 pm at TN Genealogical Society

Come learn how using newspapers can greatly enhance your genealogical and/or historical research.

 
TNGS Event & Quarterly Business Meeting

Saturday, Oct 17th, 10:30-11:30 pm at TN Genealogical Society

The business meeting will be followed by a presentation.

Genealogy Resources to Invest In
Presented by Tina Sansone

What genealogical resources are worth investing in? Tina will share some books, software, databases and other things worth investing in.

 
Getting Kids Involved in Family History
Presented by Tina Sansone

Saturday, October 24, 10:30-12:00 pm at TN Genealogical Society

Tips on how to get the younger generation interested in genealogy. Bring your own successful ideas to share with the group! Great for parents – grandparents or anyone that works with the youth. 

The Tennessee Genealogical Society is extremely proud to announce that renowned genealogist, D. Joshua Taylor , MA, MLS will be the guest speaker for the Annual Fall Seminar to be held on Saturday, November 7, 2015.

D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS is the Director of Family History at Findmypast. Passionate about the future of family history, Joshua is a nationally known and recognized genealogical author, lecturer, and researcher and a frequent speaker at family history events across the globe. Active in the genealogical community, Joshua is the current President for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including RootsTech’s Distinguished Presenter Award, the Federation of Genealogical Societies Award of Merit, and the Rubincam Youth Award from the National Genealogical Society. He holds an MLS (Archival Management) and an MA (History) from Simmons College and has been a featured genealogist on Who Do You Think You Are? with Sarah Jessica Parker, Kelly Clarkson, Ashley Judd, Reba McEntire, and Rob Lowe. At the present time Joshua can be seen taking America through their past as a host on the popular PBS series Genealogy Roadshow.

Be sure to mark your calendars now and set aside that date for an exciting genealogical adventure! The event Registration form contains times, topics and registration information can be downloaded HERE. Or register on-line HERE.

The Tennessee Genealogical Society has canceled today's lecture with Tina Sansone on "Forensic Genealogy" due to extreme flooding and bad weather conditions. We are truly sorry for any inconvenience. A rain date will be announced soon for the lecture. For any questions, please contact Tina Sansone at tinahsansone@gmail.com. 

The library will also be closed today.